Milan Key Attractions

Like all great Italian cities, Milan has a massive amount of art on display in its fine galleries and museums that are scattered city-wide, while a fantastic collection of landmark buildings and monuments are also in evidence. Gracing the Piazza del Duomo, the stunning Duomo is easily Milan’s most endearing sight and has been for centuries, while a slew of city parks and gardens provide quiet respite from the general bustle.

Arena Civica

The Arena Civica is one of Italy’s best aquarium set-ups, featuring more than three dozen tanks and an array of colourful and exotic creatures from the deep. The Art Nouveau building was constructed in the early 1900s for the National Exposition and its exhibits include many species of tropical fish and Italian freshwater fauna.

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)

The 14th century Sforza Castle (1368) has undergine several extensions and renovations over the centuries and is today an important museum centre. Highlights include the Ducal chapel, together with its stunning 15th century frescoes; Michelangelo's unfinished Rondanini Pieta; and the rebuilt lofty Filerete Tower.

Duomo

Lying right in the centre of Milan, the Duomo is the city’s most fanciable sight and dates back to the late 14th century. The Duomo is the world’s third largest church after St Peter's (Vatican) and Seville Cathedral, and like other great European edifices, it took many hundreds of years to complete; Napoleon ordered the façade to be complete in the 19th century. Interior highlights include the huge stained-glass windows, the Holy Nail of the Cross, numerous statues and paintings and the outstanding views of the city from the rooftop terrace.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a magnificent arcade of glass, is located on Piazza della Scala, just to the north of the Duomo, and features a 155-foot-high glass dome, an array of shops and cafés, and the famous Savini restaurant. Building work started in 1865 and the project was completed only two years later and opened by the then king Vittorio Emanuele II. The intricate mosaics on the floor are worth looking out for.

Public Gardens (Giardini Pubblici)

Milan has several beautiful parks and gardens and the Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens), located to the northeast of the city centre, is one of Milan’s largest city parks. The park hails from the late 1700s and underwent many changes and expansions in subsequent years and features beautifully serene lakes and elegant statues and monuments. There are also a couple of museums here for added interest as well as the grand 18th century Palazzo Dugnale, which houses the Greenhouse Laboratories.

Pirelli Tower (Grattacielo Pirelli)

Located beyond the Giardini Pubblici, the Pirelli Tower became the world’s largest reinforced concrete skyscraper after its construction in 1955, standing an impressive 417 feet high. The landmark is so named as it stands on the site of Giovan Battista Pirelli’s first tyre factory. Standing atop the tower is a statue of the Virgin Mary as a mark of respect owing to the tower being taller than the Madonnina on the Duomo.

Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera)

Housing one of Italy's most important art collections, the Brera Art Gallery in northeast Milan has more than 30 rooms loaded with fantastic works. The gallery is housed in a 16th century palace and includes renowned pieces by many Italian masters including Caravaggio, Mantegna and Raphael. Temporary exhibitions and special events are regularly held here.

Museums

Milan is awash with museums that contain some magnificent historical and cultural collections including a multitude of fascinating homegrown items and rare pieces from overseas.

The museum in the grand Palazzo Bagatti-Valsecchi is definitely one for art buffs; it boasts one of Europe’s finest collections. Opened to the public in 1881, the Museo Poldi-Pezzoli features an amazing collection of paintings and sculptures by the great artist, while the National Science and Technology Museum (Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnia) includes some brilliant exhibits to make it one of the world's leading science and technology collections.